Filter



Jan. 27, 1942. BLAH; 2,270,924

I FILTER Filed March 6, 1939 Patented Jan. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILTER Frank P. Blair, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 6, 1939,'Serial No. 260,027

5 Claims.

My invention relates in general to filters. It relates more in particular to a self-cleaning filter of a type adapted to be connected into a cold water line for use for drinking water purposes.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved filter device.

Another object is the provision of a filter device which is cleaned in an automatic fashion and requires no attention during its useful life when installed.

Other specific objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical installation; and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation and partly broken away to conserve space.

In accordance with the main features of my invention, I provide a filter which is attachable directly into a cold water line so that water from the cold water system is delivered through a filter element to a reservoir for withdrawal from a separate faucet attached to such reservoir. Associated with the filter is provided means for positively reversing the direction of flow of the water from the filter reservoir through the usual cold water faucet, as, for example, when drawing water for washing purposes and the like. I provide means for positively assuring that the device will not become waterlogged or inoperative for any reason independent of the manner in Which it may be handled.

Referring now first to Fig. 1, I show a twin faucet arrangement with a usual type of cold water faucet, l0, hot water faucet ll, connecting pipe l2 and swing spout l3. Connected into the cold water line is the filter assembly indicated generally by the reference character I4, a section of pipe I6 being connected into the hot water side to maintain a uniform location of the twin fitting in accordance with a usual practice.

The filter assembly proper comprises a reservoir I'I near the lower portion of which is a filter element indicated generally by the reference character [8. This filter element is preferably formed of two layers, the upper layer consisting of stone material (filter rock) and the lower layer, to which the reference character [9 has been applied, comprising a filterable asbestos pad. Forming a part of the reservoir is a base portion 20, formed in the manner shown, with an annular flange about which the lower edge 2| of the upper portion of the reservoir is formed, 56

to make a sealed container. Any suitable pack ing means may be employed where required to produce a water-tight seal. For securing the filter element in place, I utilize the upper portion of the flange on the lower reservoir member 2|, and an annular integral projection 22 formed in the wall of the reservoir serves to positively hold the filter element in position. This annular portion 22 may be formed in any sutiable manner as, for example, by spinning, if the walls are relatively thin, or, if a casting is employed, by casting it in position.

A T-shaped member 23 forms a part of the filter assembly, one end being threaded for attachment to a usual cold water pipe 24 and the other end being internally threaded to receive the usual cold water faucet I0. The numeral 26 identifies a section of the sink or wall through which the cold water'pipe projects and a usual type of escutcheon plate 21 may be employed to close the opening in the sink or wall.

The intended functioning of the filter is such that the reservoir I! will be filled with filtered water, and this water may be withdrawn through a faucet 28 which will be described more in detail hereinafter. When the faucet I0 is open, the water in the reservoir I1 is intended to be removed in order to clean from the filter any deposits which have accumulated therein or on the lower side thereof. I provide means, however, for producing a positive suction under all circumstances, this means being included within the T-member 23, as will now be explained.

An upright 29, to which the filter is attached, communicates with an internal portion 31 in the T member 23 and thereby places this internal portion 3| in communication with the filter element and, through the filter element, with the inside of the reservoir H. A transverse web 32 has a central opening in which a pipe 33 comprising a forcing nozzle is threaded, and a transverse web 34 is provided with a threaded aperture within which a Venturi-shaped tube 36 is threaded. The tube 33 has its delivery end near the narrowest portion of the Venturi tube 36. With this arrangement, when the faucet I0 is open to withdraw water, the pressure in the line 24 causes the delivery of water through the tube 23, thereby producing a suction action to positively withdraw water down through the upright 29.

Before considering further the operation of the forcing nozzle 33 and the action of the filter as a whole, I wish to refer to the arrangement of the faucet 28. This faucet has a spout 31 in communication with an internal port 38 closed by a valve 39 which engages the end of the faucet body as a seat. The valve 39 is mounted on a valve stem 4| and is kept closed by a spring 42, one end of which engages against a shoulder on the inside of the faucet and the other end of which engages against an enlarged portion 43 of the valve stem. A packing nut is not required, the valve stem projecting directly to the outside through the body of the faucet and being provided with a head 44 which can be pushed forward to release the valve to the position shown in dotted lines and permit water to flow from the reservoir. Should it be desired to hold the faucet open for any period of time, the head 44 may be turned slightly to engage thread-like fastening portions 46 and 41.

The operation may be considered by assuming that the system is empty except for air, and the faucet is open to withdraw water which is now being delivered through the cold water pipe 24.

In due course, the water will fiow from the spout l3 and we may assume, for our present purpose, that no action takes place so far as the filter is concerned at that time.

I0 is closed, the water, being under pressure and at a higher pressure than the air in the reservoir l1, will rise in the upright 29, pass through the filter element and partly fill the reservoir ll. This movement of water will continue until the air which is trapped in the upper part of. the reservoir is under the same pressure as the water. During this time, some particles of dirt from the water will have accumulated 0n the lower side of the filter. The water within the reservoir, however, is clear and can be withdrawn through the faucet 28. Now, let us say that the faucet i0 is againopened, creating the suction which was described, and thereby with a rapid suction action withdrawing the water from the reservoir and removing the accumulated dirt from the filter. Should there be any tendency for the reservoir to become water logged by loss of air or creation of a suction therein, the valve 39 will be unseated because the spring 42 is relatively weak and will allow an adequate amount of air to enter at the faucet 28. In this way, the reservoir is prevented from becoming water logged and the device will continue to operate in a balanced condition indefinitely.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination in a water line having an outlet faucet, of a filter attached in said line near said faucet, said filter T-shaped section disposed in the path of the water between the water line and faucet, said T-section being hollow and having an upstanding portion connected to a horizontal portion, a reservoir secured to said upstanding portion, a filter element near the bottom of said reservoir through which all water must pass entering the reservoir, valve means in the reservoir for withdrawing filtered water therefrom, and means producing a positive suction on said water in the Now, when the faucet comprising a reservoir when water is withdrawn from said line through said faucet, said valve means including a spring pressed valve, said spring being relatively light, the parts being so constructed and arranged that reduced pressure in said reservoir will unseat said spring pressed valve and allow outside air to flow into the reservoir.

2. A filter combination comprising a T member, having one upstanding leg, one leg adapted to be connected to a water pipe, and one leg adapted to have a faucet connected thereto, a reservoir attached to said upstanding leg, a filter element set across the lower portion of the reservoir, and a spring pressed valve set in the reservoir immediately above said filter element, said valve comprising a seat within the reservoir, a valve element engaging said seat by spring action to close the valve, and an exterior stem, the valve being so constructed and arranged that pressure on such stem is efiective to move said valve element from said seat.

3. A filter combination adapted for connection in a water line, comprising a T member with one upstanding leg, one leg adapted for connection to a water supply pipe, and one leg for attachment to a faucet, said T member having a middle chamber extending to and including said upstanding leg, centrally apertured transverse Webs bounding the two sides of said chamber, a forcing nozzle secured in one web aperture, and a Venturi tube secured in the other web aperture, said forcing nozzle discharging into the constriated throat of the venturi, a reservoir secured to the upstanding leg, a filter in the bottom of the reservoir in the path of the water, and means above the filter for withdrawing filtered water from the reservoir. 7

l. The combination of claim 3, including means for admitting air to said reservoir through said water withdrawing means in response to the discharge of water from said forcing nozzle through said Venturi throat.

5. A filter combination adapted for connection in a water line, comprising a T member with one upstanding leg, one leg adapted for connection to a water supply pipe, and one leg for attachment to a faucet, said T member having a-middle chamber extending. to and including said upstanding leg, centrally apertured transverse webs bounding the two sides of said chamber, a forcing nozzle secured in one web aperture, and a Venturi tube secured in the other web aperture, said forcing nozzle discharging into the constricted throat of the venturi, a reservoir secured to the upstanding leg, a filter in the bottom of the reservoir in the path of the water, and spring pressed valve means in the reservoir above said filter, said valve means operable .to withdraw filtered water but being so constructed and arranged that the valve, while normally closed, becomes unseated and admits air to the reservoir when sub-atmospheric pressure exists within the reservoir caused by a suction action when water is withdrawn from said faucet.

. FRANK P. BLAIR. 

